Recently I have had a number of clients bring their dogs to me with behavioural traits that they wish to modify or undo. Working exclusively with toy dogs a large proportion of the problems that I encounter are the result of fear aggression, often due to undersocialisation. However there are on occasion dogs who are naturally have a more nervous temperament and, in many cases, this is manifested by being excessively aggressive in certain situations.
One four month old pup is exhibiting aggression in the following circumstances:
- dog on dog aggression - when meeting (some) other dogs = growling, barking, lunging and biting
- redirected aggression to humans when the above occurs = turning and biting
- resource guarding with humans - aggression with food/toys/sofas/beds etc = lunging and biting
- resource guarding/control aggression with animals - as above when another dog approaches
There are many different labels for dog aggression and people can break the incidences of aggression down into several categories. However in this dog a miniature dachshund all of the above could equally be classed as fear aggression. Whenever the dog feels he is threatened socially or environmentally he wil respond with aggression. To him he is protecting himself by attacking.
Interestingly this dog is the first dog owned by a young couple and on meeting with them to discuss his behaviour. (This puppy is the most aggressive pup I have ever met and the first example I have seen of such blanket aggressive behaviour when there do not appear to have been environmental factors such as mistreatment involved.) I explained that the pup's aggression (which they assumed to be normal puppy behaviour) was as a result of his extreme nervousness combined with a typical daxie temperament they agreed saying:
'He was the pup in the litter that was most nervous, his tail was between his legs and he looked very worried when we met him.'
Those of us who know dogs will be amazed that in this day and age with the wealth of advice and resources available people are still buying the pup in the litter (along with the most boisterous) that really shouldn't be bought except by very experienced owners. It is disappointing to say the least that the KC reg breeder is breeding dogs with this temperament and allowing them to be sold to new unsuspecting owners. (This however is a different topic!)
Another dog with similar behaviour is an 18 m.o pomeranian (though she is unusual looking and I suspect a pomchi mix or at least odd breeding!)
This dog is very nervous in herself, tail between legs, ears back, slinking around. In particular she has exhibited extreme nervousness and aggression in the following situations.
When being handled.
When meeting new people
When meeting other dogs (although not on all occasions)
When other dogs come near her toys/chews
Like the daxie she lunges, growls and nips. Interestingly however the daxie does not show stress or anxiety per se. Only fear aggression in certain instances. The pom by contrast is constantly jittery and worried, very highly strung. She is not as quick to aggression as the dax, she will snap rather than straight out bite. However she regularly screams, squeals and shrieks as a way of showing her anxiety.
So what are some of the options for working with dogs like these?A
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